You Are a Treasure!

I have something that's going to change your life!

Do you want it? Do you want something so amazing and mind-blowing; you'll never view yourself, others, God or others the same again?

No, it's not millions of dollars, it's not unlimited power or status . . . it's something FAR greater than those. Before the grand reveal, let me share a story that will not make much sense to you . . . at least not through the lenses of the world.

Matthew 13:44-46

44 "The Kingdom of Heaven is like a treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field."

45 "Again the Kingdom of Heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. 46 When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it."

Jesus is THE Treasure, He is the PearL!

It blows my mind how truly foolish we are. We are the man, who in his wandering, found this beautiful treasure. Yet, often times, in our daily lives, we do everything but hide it in a place only we know so we can sell all we have to come back and buy the field.

Not only do we not sell all we have, but we actually take this beautiful treasure and throw it away. Every single day we choose things other than Jesus: the opposite sex, status, money, power, sin, addiction, drugs, alcohol, good things over God things etc. Any time we choose something contrary to the Lord, we squander our treasure. It's the equivalent of throwing it away or even worse running to tell someone there is a treasure in our field, and asking them if they want it!

That's crazy . . . yet we nonetheless do it.

But if we are wise, if we are obedient, we are the ones who sells all we have so we can purchase that field because we know not only is the treasure is rare, but it's PRICELESS . . . it's as invaluable as they come! His name is Jesus-- the King of Kings and Lord of Lords . . . His name is not just WONDERFUL~ His name is Life, His name is Hope, His name is Love, His name is FOREVER!

When we sell ALL we have and purchase the field; I believe that's when we step into the life more abundantly Jesus has promised to us, 'I have come so you many have life and have it more abundantly.' (John 10:10). That's when we enter the proverbial Promise Land. The time we choose our treasure over anything else is when we guard the good deposit in our hearts (2nd Timothy 1:14).

But What If It's Also the Other Way Around?

As my pastor, and dear friend/second Dad, Mike Devine was sitting at lunch with Tad Taylor, who recently lost his Mom Dorcas (who used to play the piano beautifully in our church), Taylor said what if it's the other way around. What if WE are the treasure?!? Taylor's rheotorical question rocked Devine to the core of his being. Taylor, a devout follower of Christ, family man and die-hard Pittsburgh Steelers fan, made a powerful enough point before the Holy Spirit gave Devine an even more powerful revelation of what he meant.

You can look at it both ways. Jesus is the Treasure, but WE ARE TOO! Wow!! That completely shakes the foundation of the world as you know it when you understand what that means-- how He looks at you!

God had it all in Heaven. He had worship, He had fellowship, He had allegiance and He had comfort. Yet, He sold all He had! He gave up Heaven just for you, yes you! You were lost and weren't searching for a Savior . . . yet He sought you out. When He found you, you were covered in mud, a filthy dirty mess, and He embraced you with a sense of belonging and intensity of love you've never known before. He saw you lost in your sin and He left His throne in Heaven to be beaten, tortured, mocked, taunted and ultimately die for you.

That's how PRICELESS and IRREPLACEABLE you are to Him! You are the apple of his eye, His biggest prize, His most beloved.

Remember the Treasures

So, you may feel insufficient. You may feel not good enough. You may feel like a failure. You may feel unworthy of such an unconditional, all-encompassing, relentless love. If that's the case, I have great news! WE ALL ARE. The very definition of grace, in my eyes, is God so freely giving that of which we don't deserve.

Jesus is THE treasure. We are His treasure and we must guard the treasure of our hearts daily!

When you remember those three things; you may not have earthly treasures, and you may feel like nothing or nobody but you are truly rich.

*Mike, I pray everyone receives true and deep revelation of what we mean to God and what He should mean to us. I appreciate you sharing this message and for allowing the Shepard to guide you, so you can lead His flock (Covenant Bible). I pray this blesses you as a tribute to you and for this amazing message of an oft-overlooked parable.

Tad, I am deeply saddened for you, Leah Beth and the girls' loss, as well as Tammy, Jeremy and y'alls little girl, and while I pray for comfort and peace that surpasses all understanding over the holidays for y'all; your Mom has with her treasure. . . We had a beautiful talk about the Lord about 8 months ago and about life and I had never seen her so happy. Continue being a blessing to people and awaiting y'alls great reunion!